iPhone 4 UK launch flop!!

When I woke up this morning (at 6am) I was really excited about getting down to my local Orange store to pick up an iPhone 4. As I approached the store I could see a huge que of around 100 people. Luckily they were all queuing at the O2 store next door, there were 2 outside the Orange store, WOOHOO!!

Sadly, my excitement was short lived when the rep came to the door at 7:45 to ask if we had been given a phone call telling us that we were one of the lucky ones that had been saved a handset. My heart sank as I answered “no!”

I had previously phoned the store on several occasions to check if they were doing pre-orders, the answer was no then, and it was still no yesterday. When I asked why some people had been able to be put on a “waiting list” I didn’t get a very clear answer!

What’s more is that the rep told me that they had been sent an embarrassing 12 handsets, but when I was at the till forking over £60 to pre-order an iPhone 4 for Saturday, another rep said “I remember seeing your name around 6th on the list but we simply don’t have enough.” Wait, from 12 down to 6!! Looks like Orange take care of their own before paying customers and allow staff to have first dibs!

To say I am disappointed would be a huge understatement!! However, I now have a confirmed pre-order for Saturday so not all bad.

I also got to have a quick play with the reps iPhone 4 and I have to say, WOW!! The display just can’t be described!! Crystal clear!!

My spirits were slightly lifted as I walked away from the store and heard an O2 rep next door announce to the 100+ people waiting that they had received just 14 handsets! That’s pretty poor whichever way you look at it!!

Hopefully I will receive my iPhone 4 on Saturday so I will report back then.